Going back to time, physically may not be possible, but in celluloid, it often happens and with class too. Memorable sequences and fashion of yesteryears may not be in vogue but watching it on screen has often resulted in applause and whistles.
The retro looks of 60s and 70s costumes with the hair-dos and floral prints has given that decade punch in Bollywood movies like Bobby, Julie, and Hare Rama Hare Krishna among many others. Later it was followed in Shahrukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om, Salman Khan starrer Dabangg, and Ajay Devgn’s Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and the recent Akshay Kumar’s Khiladi 786 has sequences where all characters sport the 70s look. Now, even Sandalwood is getting into the retro mood. Skirts, blouses, polka dots and giant hair styles are more often seen either in songs or sequences of some recent Kannada movies. Not long before we saw Prem in bell-bottoms in his film Prem Adda. Shubha Punja, Sharath Lohitashwa and Jahnavi Kamath will soon be seen in a song from Parari with bohemian style of the 60s and 70s.
Recently Harsha choreographed a song for Bulbul with Ambareesh and Darshan which sees them with bright colours and floral patterned shirts. Drama by Yograj Bhat also has some retro looks.
“I like the whole retro feel, which I could fulfill with the song in Parari. Apart from the look, the moves also gives a retro feel. Retro is something, which never dies and always keeps coming back only because it is cute and people relate to it. I have a collection of the 70s clothes with polka dots floral prints and big belts in my wardrobe. I hope this cute feel becomes a fashion statement,” said actress Shubha Punja.
For director Sumana Kittur, it is just another element added to fill the gap. She said, “I feel it is quite funny, when you try to add the retro feel to a story, which actually does not have any relation. Actually the coming back of 60s and 70s started in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar. It clicks once or twice and at certain instances.
Take the example of Gautam Menon’s Vaaranam Aayiram in which Suriya plays the father and son’s role. Gautam takes us back to the olden days when he talks about the father. I just felt happy while watching Simran and Suriya dance to the retro tune.
Even for that matter, Aamir Khan starrer Dil Chahta Hai brings in the retro sequence, which is an intelligent thought and gives a good theatre feel. Retro outside a story is definitely not required.
Of late with films filling up 4 to 5 songs, these have just become another addition along with foreign locations, back drops, love songs and raunchy numbers,” she stated.
Choreographer Harsha who thoroughly enjoys to make the heroes and heroines shake a leg to retro tunes said, “Old trend has become a new trend because today’s generation gets curious to know about old fashion.
These youngsters seem interested when they see the old look in terms of costumes or songs. Recently, I choreographed for Bulbul and Parari. I feel old is definitely gold and it is back,” he said.